Six practical tips to help your child succeed in high school

All parents want their child to succeed in high school. However, high school years can be a stressful time for young people feeling pressure to perform, and students just entering high school may experience anxiety.

Words Ava Akbarian 

What does student success look like in high school?

Parents should focus on learning and growth to help their child succeed in high school. Student success in high school could mean many things to a parent. Your child could be seeking academic excellence, worldly experiences, increased effort or growth.

“Student success is not about the number or the result but the development of a love for learning and genuine curiosity,” says Laura Ruddick, deputy principal — Learning & Teaching at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College. “It’s about building 21st-century skills such as collaboration and resilience for the post-secondary school real world.”

Parents can support their child succeed in high school by following these tips:

1. Help your child stay organised

Helping your child stay organised for high school is a priority. This will not only keep them on top of their schoolwork and assist them with their grades, but also alleviates any unnecessary anxiety. Some ways you can help get your child organised include:

• Organise a home space that displays a planner or calendar and keeps your child’s resources in one place
• Ensure they have what they need for school including stationery, books or textbooks, devices or uniforms
• Note down all their assessment dates at the beginning of the school term
• Help them build a study timetable which sets aside time to complete their weekly homework or assignments
• Encourage them to make to-do lists and reward them for their achievements

2. Encourage your child to do what they love

Have a discussion with your child about their interests in school and for their future career. Especially when it comes to choosing subjects, parents should let their child exercise their strengths.

“A more productive approach to success would be to focus on organisational skills, taking time out to do the things you love and, the biggest one, to choose subjects you enjoy regardless of the scaling because this is where you will be most successful,” says Laura.

Encouraging your child to take too many challenging subjects can backfire on their grades and mental health.

If your child is interested in extra-curriculars such as sports, make sure they take the time to do this. Allowing your child to have a well-rounded high school experience will help them achieve success.

3. Ensure your child’s health and wellbeing

A vital component to succeed in high school is good mental health. Make sure you are taking care of your child’s wellbeing, particularly during stressful exam periods. Tips to nurture your child’s wellbeing include:

• Make sure they eat healthy — prepare healthy meals and snacks using high-nutrition brain foods, including leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts or berries.
• Make sure they are getting physical exercise — studies show regular exercise improves mental health and emotional wellbeing. Your child does not have to do strenuous physical activity every day. The Department of Health recommends children and young people do several hours of light physical activities daily. This may include walking to school, walking the dog, going to the park with friends, playing handball, or helping around the house.
• Encourage them to do mindful wellbeing practices from an early age. This may include meditation, yoga, adult colouring, journaling and more.
• Ensure they take lots of breaks.
• Make sure they get enough sleep.

4. Speak to your child’s teachers or encourage them to

If your child is having social or learning difficulties at school, speak to their teacher about their behaviour at school and strategies they can implement in the classroom and at home to improve.

Either way, encourage your child to have a relationship with their teacher and seek feedback actively. This way they can ask relevant questions or seek further help if required.

5. Help them build a routine

Having a solid weekly or daily routine is beneficial to many kids. Children with extra-curricular activities to balance with their school and studies may feel overwhelmed without a routine.

Your child’s weekly/daily schedule could include elements of:

• Study

• Homework

• Sports

• Extra-curricular activities

• Instrument time

• Exercise

• Time with friends

6. Encourage your child to take advantage of the opportunities at school

Taking advantage of student leadership programs is a great way to equip your child with skills for their future.

Other extra-curricular activities at school may include homework club, science club, band or after-school sports. When choosing a school for your child, ensure there are programs available to support their interests.